Benfica Tops Boavista 3-0

Image credits: PortuGOAL · 22 February 2025

Benfica has taken the top spot in the Primeira Liga after a convincing 3-0 victory over Boavista. The win sees Benfica move above their city rivals Sporting CP for the first time since December, with a new-look Boavista lineup unable to match the vibrant and energetic Benfica side. The match was marked by a series of impressive performances from Benfica players, including Andrea Belotti, Evangelos Pavlídis, and Orkun Kökçü, who all managed to get their names on the scoresheet.

The first half of the match saw Benfica dominate, with 15 shots recorded, 7 of which were on target. Boavista managed to keep the score at 1-0 going into the half, but a major turning point came in the 51st minute when Miguel Reisinho was sent off after a VAR review. This left Boavista with a herculean task, and Benfica capitalized on the advantage, with Pavlidis scoring his 17th goal of the campaign. The final nail in the coffin came when Kökçü converted a penalty in the 76th minute, securing the win for Benfica.

Boavista's struggles this season have been well-documented, with the team sitting at the bottom of the league standings and eight points adrift of safety. The club has failed to record a home win all season and has scored just 14 goals, the second fewest in the league. Despite the challenges, manager Lito Vidigal remains optimistic, highlighting the attitude of his players and the progress being made in building a team. Vidigal acknowledged the fairness of Benfica's victory but emphasized the need for his team to learn from the experience and move forward.

The match also saw some impressive individual performances, with Belotti putting himself in dangerous positions and executing the role of poacher perfectly. Pavlidis continued his fine form, and Kökçü's penalty conversion capped off a comprehensive performance from Benfica. The win has significant implications for the league standings, with Benfica now in the top spot and Boavista facing an increasingly difficult task to avoid relegation. As the season enters its final stages, every point will be vital, and Benfica will look to maintain their momentum while Boavista will need to regroup and find a way to turn their season around.

Some of the key statistics from the match include:

• Benfica recorded 31 total shots, 14 of which were on target
• Boavista managed just 14 goals in the league this season, the second fewest in the league
• Pavlidis scored his 17th goal of the campaign, while Kökçü converted a penalty in the 76th minute
• Benfica has now taken the top spot in the Primeira Liga, moving above Sporting CP for the first time since December
• Boavista sits at the bottom of the league standings, eight points adrift of safety

The pressure is now on Boavista to turn their season around, while Benfica will look to maintain their momentum and stay at the top of the league. The relegation battle is heating up, and every point will be crucial in the coming weeks.